The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that approximately of 1% of people in general are colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria. It is resistant to an antibiotic known as methicillin and is often resistant to other antibiotics as well. Being colonized means a person carries the organism, but shows no clinical signs or symptoms of infection. 

For those that do become infected with MRSA, it can be serious, difficult and costly to treat, and can sometimes be life-threatening. Due to this, all general acute care hospitals in California are required to report MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI) cases to CDPH. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that MRSA usually spreads by touching infected skin, but it can also spread by touching materials or surfaces that had contact with an infection. This is why MRSA infections can spread in the workplace, not just in healthcare facilities. The agency states that certain factors make it easier for it to spread, these include crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin (cut, scrape or rash), contaminated items and surfaces, and a lack of cleanliness. 

“While healthcare facilities have infection control procedures for MRSA and other  superbugs in place due to the unique challenges they face, many workplaces do not,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “This is a why these types of infections sometimes occur in the workplace.” 

Helping to stop the spread of MRSA and other pathogens are the scientists at LA Testing. With laboratories in California, LA Testing offers surface and other environmental testing services for a wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Testing can be utilized for confirming cleaning and disinfection procedures in the workplace, and can also be helpful for pinpointing the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred. 

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about MRSA and the workplace that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/AmUhVU5QjYY 

To learn more about MRSA or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California's leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

— WebWireID291965 —